Ovarian cysts

[Gemm24]

Hi

I took my guinea pig, Cleo (3 years 10 months) for a vet appointment today as there was blood in her urine. Other than that she is eating/drinking/pooping as normal and is her normal self.
The vet had a feel, couldn’t take a urine because there was nothing in her bladder and said it’s possibly a bacterial infection and gave me baytril and metacam. She also said Cleo has a ovarian cyst which she can feel and recommended a spay.

I am concerned about a spay because it’s invasive and she has never had a GA. Cleo is currently not exhibiting any symptoms from her cyst (no hair loss, no pain, no affection eating etc) however she can be a little aggressive (teeth chattering) through bars to other guinea pigs I have.

I really don’t know what is best-should I risk it and get her spayed. The vet explained the cyst will grow and if I were to wait it would be a risky procedure. Please help!

 

[GPTV]

Hi there

I had Ellie who was 6yrs old & kept having urinary tract infections/ very bloody discharges, the vet decided to do a ultrasound & discovered a walnut sized ovarian cyst. she told me the only option was to spay her - but she wouldn't do it as it was too risky due to her age (panic!) so i suggested the hormone injections (HCG) Churulon, the vet did some research & ordered the vials.

they were very successful with Ellie - there seems to be no recorded negative side effects apart from they just don't work on some guineas.

Ellie had 2 injections approx 7-10 days apart, she had only one bleed afterwards & the injections lasted approx 12months. The cyst reduced in size so much that you couldn't even feel it after a few weeks. She had another dose of 2 injections 12months after the first batch as the lump/cyst had grown back this lasted until i lost her about 12 months later aged 8yrs due to multiple health issues.

Ellie showed none of the classic Ovarian cyst symptoms such as crusty nipples, hormonal behaviour/crabbyness, hair loss along the sides, etc. but she did seem more mellow after the jabs & her coat went silky smooth for months afterwards.

if your vet is guinea savvy & has done lots of spays on guineas then there are quite a few girls who have been spayed successfully on here, if she is fit & well generally then this will reduce the risks of a spay. she is still quite young so it could be an option to spay.
but you must be able to trust your vets experience & competence in this area.
the injections could be an option for her as it is less invasive, but the chances are she will have the cyst grow back at some point.

good luck with your decision & make sure you interrogate your vet in relation to this

healing vibes & speedy recovery to your little lady. xx

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

I took my guinea pig, Cleo (3 years 10 months) for a vet appointment today as there was blood in her urine. Other than that she is eating/drinking/pooping as normal and is her normal self.
The vet had a feel, couldn’t take a urine because there was nothing in her bladder and said it’s possibly a bacterial infection and gave me baytril and metacam. She also said Cleo has a ovarian cyst which she can feel and recommended a spay.

I am concerned about a spay because it’s invasive and she has never had a GA. Cleo is currently not exhibiting any symptoms from her cyst (no hair loss, no pain, no affection eating etc) however she can be a little aggressive (teeth chattering) through bars to other guinea pigs I have.

I really don’t know what is best-should I risk it and get her spayed. The vet explained the cyst will grow and if I were to wait it would be a risky procedure. Please help!

There are less invasive alternatives to a spay - hormone (chorulon) injections or implants or the draining of large cysts; the latter is not permanent, but each drain lasts for months and it can be done without a full GA.

Since a spay is a major operation, you want to use a vet that is confident and familiar with operating on guinea pigs. Take the time to explore all options and make an informed decision whether you want to go for a spay or not and which vet you want to use if you decide to go through with the op. You are not under any time pressure here!
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

Ovarian cysts are very common in older sows, but thankfully only a minority are actually causing problems so the number of spaying ops is not as high as you would suspect. Not all cysts, especially the larger ones, are hormonal.

PS: My 5 year old Iola needed a spaying operation a year ago for two large and fast growing cysts. She is still with me as I am writing this. But I have made sure to use an experienced vet!

 

[Claire W]

My Emma had an ovarian cyst that my vet could feel on examination. Due to Emma already being nearly 6 years old at the time and the fact the cyst wasn't causing her any discomfort or other problems, me and my vet decided to leave it. My vet is very good and just kept an eye on it

 

[Gemm24]

Thanks for all your replies. Cleo had her spay today. It all Went well but a few hours after she had come round she had a seizure and died. I am still
I’m total shock. She is the second one who has died within a month and I had close shave with another a couple of weeks ago. I feel like I can’t get away from bad luck with my guinea pigs. I’m so tired and stressed but need to keep soldiering on for the others.
Thanks for your support.

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS!

I am so, so sorry! Losing one in or just after an operation always leaves you with a very bad feeling, but you have done the best thing you could for her; remember that!

Having just lost three of mine in less than two weeks, I feel for you! But I can also reassure you that it is going to balance out in the longer term and that you'll have some good times again. Stuff happens in clusters rather than nicely spread out...

 

[Betsy]

Oh I am so sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourself. You dd nothing wrong. Hugs to you at this sad time.